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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To feel tense about this?

40 replies

Spidermama · 27/03/2018 20:10

I'm organising an Easter get together at a big farmhouse for 30 of us. It's my friend's farmhouse and the accommodation is in dorms. We have one extra person, so I will be bringing a mattress. Everyone else is in bunk beds.
One friend, who has a 5 year old, is complaining about how hard it will be to convince a child to go on a mattress on the floor when everyone else has a bunk bed. The mattress is foam and perfectly comfortable for a little one, but would be less so for an adult. There are 4 little ones in that dorm.. Do 5 and 6 year olds really care that they have a mattress not a bed? Will they kick off?
I have teenagers now and no little ones and I can't help thinking the parents shouldn't give in to this sort of crap. You just do a first come first serve basis. I can't help thinking mum is being more precious about this than her son would be.
AIBU?

OP posts:

MagentaRocks · 27/03/2018 21:10

A couple of chairs, blanket over the top. Pop the mattress under it to make it a den and maybe put a little snack in so they can have a midnight feast. They will love that.

Lookatyourwatchnow · 27/03/2018 21:10

For fucks sake, she sounds like a precious nightmare!

PattiStanger · 27/03/2018 21:16

Could you let the others know that the holiday is in jeopardy and let them apply for pressure

HollowTalk · 27/03/2018 21:34

I think you do need to involve the others now. It's just not fair on you.

altiara · 27/03/2018 21:42

Are the bunks big enough to top and tail two small kids? That’s what we did with DS and his cousin when all the kids wanted to be in the same room (instead of in the beds we’d paid for!)

HollowTalk · 27/03/2018 21:43

I think the tent idea is great - I reckon two kids would sleep in there.

upsideup · 27/03/2018 21:44

5 is very young though, there are many 5 year olds struggle with bedtime and sleeping away from home. Being the only child on the floor while the others have beds wont help that.
How old are the other kids? If he is bothered by it its likely one of the other kids wont be.

Original poster

Spidermama · 27/03/2018 22:38

OK I'm doing the tent thing. Thanks Custy. Or maybe a den. It'll be in a space under a high bed so perfect den territory. I bet the other little ones will kick off now cos they'll all want to be in the den.

OP posts:

Shedmicehugh1 · 27/03/2018 22:47

You are going to need more mattresses!

Original poster

Spidermama · 27/03/2018 23:18

OP posts:

KeepServingTheDrinks · 27/03/2018 23:28

Glad you feel you've got it sorted, Spider. My contribution (which you prob don't need now anyway) was to say:
What a shame this woman is kicking off and (potentially) spoiling a lovely thing that you're all doing. But, I don't think you're being U, but I do think you're maybe being a teeny-tiny bit anal by having decided all the beds before you get there.

Assuming the kids are all going to bunk down together (which should be very exciting for them), tell them that they need to decide together who's sleeping where. And they can do that on the day.

ShawshanksRedemption · 28/03/2018 20:11

Shaw shanks this is the 3rd year we've been. She's been in that dorm for the past 2 years with no complaints.
She's now trying to suggest one of the teenagers give up their mattress so her boy can have it. I've pointed out that the teenagers are all adult size and the small mattress is for small people.
I'm just about managing to remain polite because my holiday is at stake here and that of 29 others.
Because she's been before though it might well be that she feels her son won't settle on the mattress. Have you asked her why?
I don't understand why the holiday is at stake over a mattress for a child? The worst would be if they pulled out, why would that affect anyone else's ability to attend the holiday?

PS Den sounds like an excellent idea, and I hope it works and resolves the issue.

Glumglowworm · 28/03/2018 20:22

My brownies always beg to be allowed to top and tail on pack holiday, if two of the little ones want to do that then nobody has to go on the floor.

Other option is that the children take turns.

Or that moaning parent gets the floor

user1493413286 · 28/03/2018 20:28

I’d tell her to sort it out with the parents of the other little ones. No adult or teenager should need to sleep on it.
There’s always someone who wants special treatment despite such a large party of people

Cockmagic · 28/03/2018 20:30

If the mother's that bothered she can share with the child or have the mattress!

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